BURST OF COLOR: Area landscapes ready to unpack their fall finery

Monday

Oct 16, 2006 at 12:06 AMOct 16, 2006 at 12:33 AM

From staff reports

Fall colors are expected to peak in the next couple of weeks in northwest Alabama and in early November at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, state conservation officials say.Alabama has become popular with leaf watchers because of its variety of color including yellow poplars, scarlet dogwoods, orange maples, and golden hickories. The state parks are some of the best places to enjoy the fall color change.Joe Wheeler has an excellent viewing spot next to the dam and near the cabin area on the Lawrence County side. Autumn scenery can be found at DeSoto State Park at Little River Canyon and DeSoto Falls.Monte Sano has views of the Tennessee Valley along the Warpath Ridge Trail and its overlook. Cheaha’s Bald Rock and Pulpit Rock trails both have excellent views. Cheaha is the highest point in the state at 2,407 feet above sea level.The Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel provides leaf watchers with weekly updates on fall colors, recommended scenic drives, and special fall activities. These weekly updates, the Circle of Color tour map, and the calendar of events are available on the state tourism Web site at www.800alabama.com.Other states, sitesOn foliagenetwork.com, updated twice a week, about 550 leaf-spotters from the Northeast, Southeast and Upper Midwest report on color conditions in their area, which are compiled and plotted onto color maps. Meanwhile, those wanting to avoid the crowds should visit www.travelnotes.org, which has a list of the best fall foliage sites across America, some very much off the beaten track.State hotlines and Web sites include:Georgia, 800-847-4842Tennessee, 800-697-4200, www.tn/svacation.com and www.tnstate/sparks.comArkansas, 800-628-8725, www.ark ansas.comSouth Carolina, 800-849-4766North Carolina, 800-847-4862, www.visitnc.com.